It’s almost impossible to even mention the words ‘comedy in Scotland’ and not go into full-blown praise mode about The Stand. The two purpose-built venues in Glasgow (333 Woodlands Road) and Edinburgh (5 York Place) are not only among the best stand-up spaces in the UK, but are often mentioned in dispatches as being up there in global comedy terms.

As well as attracting some of the top touring names in the country, regular evenings include the Red Raw open mic night (Susan Calman and Kevin Bridges are just two RR alumni that have become household names), Bright Club, Michael Redmond’s Sunday Service and Improv Wars.

Offering stiff opposition to the Stand on Friday nights in Glasgow is the recently opened Gilded Balloon Comedy at Drygate (85 Drygate). The legendary venue will welcome the likes of Romesh Ranganathan, Felicity Ward and Rob Rouse before the end of the year.

If you’re looking for laughs at a lighter price, seek out comedy nights at pubs like Glasgow’s Vespbar (14 Drury Street), State Bar (148 Holland Street), and Halt Bar (160 Woodlands Road), while Edinburgh has the Beehive Inn (18 Grassmarket) and Footlights (7 Spittal Street).